Transparency International - Moldova, in the context of the latest statements of the Center for Journalistic Investigations in Moldova, expresses its deep concern and draws the attention of state authorities, the anti-corruption and constitutional security bodies, as well as the  development partners of the Republic of Moldova to the unacceptable nature of intimidation and pressure, carried out against the background of the intensification of the process of verifying the assets of prosecutors and judges, who act more and more aggressively against journalists who discover and report cases of illicit enrichment and undeclared assets that cannot be explained by legal income.

The case reported by the Journalistic Investigation Center of Moldova is extraordinary and clearly demonstrates the violation by any means of freedom of the press and democratic mechanisms that are stifled by obscure interests and purposes. For more than 3 years, investigative journalists have given dozens of explanations and all sorts of justifications to some state institutions that instead of ensuring the proper balance between privacy and freedom of expression, act cynically to the detriment of the public interest.

The biased use of legislation on the protection of personal data against the right to information and freedom of expression in cases of public interest is an abuse, and intimidation of the press for cases of corruption and illicit enrichment revealed in journalistic investigations is to be punished according to art. 180¹ of the Criminal Code.  

Pressure on journalists through criminal proceedings is a serious attack on press freedom and a dangerous precedent for a state's democracy.